# NTSB investigations: Aircraft structural failure

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 3 of 4 · 181 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ERA13LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA199.md): Maxfly Inc/Mckay WM Searey · Polk City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2013 · N914WM · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of incorrect attachment hardware by maintenance personnel during an undocumented repair, which resulted in an in-flight structural failure and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the covering of the…
- [NTSB CEN13FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA213.md): Schleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2013 · N12053 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers in a glider not approved for such maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the degradation of the adhesive holding the wing together, which should have been detected either during the last annual…
- [NTSB CEN13FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA192.md): Sikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2013 · N574EH · Destroyed
  > Fracture of the red tail rotor blade spar, which resulted in the separation and departure of the red tail rotor blade from the helicopter and subsequent compromised tail gearbox. The red tail rotor blade was not recovered, thus the cause of the initial…
- [NTSB CEN13LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA186.md): Fisher Michael E Celebrity · Terrell, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 2013 · N70785 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limits while performing aerobatic maneuvers.
- [NTSB WPR13FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA123.md): Avions Fairey Tipsy Nipper T-66 · Winters, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2013 · N1959N · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's impact with a turkey vulture in cruise flight, which resulted in the structural failure of the right wing and the subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA13RA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13RA106.md): Boeing-Vertol 234 · Pucallpa, Peru, Peru · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 7, 2013 · N241CH · Destroyed
  > On January 7, 2013, about 2002 universal coordinated time (1502 local time), a Boeing-Vertol 234, N241CH, operated by Columbia Helicopters Peru, S.A.C., was destroyed during an inflight breakup and subsequent impact with terrain near Pucallpa, Peru. The U.S.…
- [NTSB CEN13LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA071.md): Scott Ironsides · East Troy, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2012 · N1879 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the steel weld fittings on the right main landing gear.
- [NTSB WPR13LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA050.md): Sater Coot A-Amphib · San Andreas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2012 · N8VS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive flight control inputs, which led to flight that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane and resulted in structural failure of both wings.
- [NTSB ERA12LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA537.md): Quad City Ultralights Challenger II · Ocala, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2012 · N2481P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent overstress of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer section of the right wing.
- [NTSB CEN12CA600](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA600.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Columbus, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 26, 2012 · N904LA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack.
- [NTSB DCA12IA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12IA113.md): Boeing 737-3H4 · El Paso, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2012 · N379SW · Minor damage
  > the rupture of the nose landing gear hydraulic line that resulted from abrasions due to contact with the nose landing gear tire. Contributing to the incident was the incorrect installation of union and restrictor on the actuator.
- [NTSB CEN12IA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12IA377.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Lacon, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2012 · N4350T · Minor damage
  > The propeller blade’s failure due to a fatigue crack that originated from a surface gouge that resulted from foreign object damage to the propeller blade that occurred at an unknown time.
- [NTSB WPR12FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA164.md): Cessna 320D · Green River, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2012 · N32EG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and a subsequent in-flight structural failure.
- [NTSB CEN12FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA196.md): Beech 35 · Glencoe, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 2012 · N3871N · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the design limits of the airplane being exceeded and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN12LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA218.md): Cessna 182A · New Philadelphia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2012 · N20DE · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance of the wheel attachment bolts, which resulted in the left wheel separating from the landing gear during landing due to ductile overstress fractures.
- [NTSB CEN12FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA108.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Bryan, TX · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2011 · N3590T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe weather, which resulted in the airplane’s left wing failing in positive overload. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information that he received on his in-cockpit…
- [NTSB CEN12FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA098.md): Socata TB21 · Silverton, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2011 · N25153 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to embark on a flight through forecasted instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent flight into IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent maneuvering of the airplane…
- [NTSB WPR12MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12MA034.md): Eurocopter EC 130 B4 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2011 · N11QV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while operating in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in the impact of the horizontal stabilizer and lower forward portion of the fenestron with ground and/or vegetation and led to…
- [NTSB ERA12FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA018.md): Berger Michael A Waiex · Washington, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2011 · N75654 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the aircraft’s Y-tail attachment structure during maneuvering flight due to overload. Contributing to the accident was, the kit manufacturer’s use of 14 CFR Part 23, Appendix A design guidelines intended for a conventional tail…
- [NTSB WPR11LA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA459.md): Mcarthur Steen Skybolt · Greenleaf, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2011 · N77VW · Substantial damage
  > Structural failure of the upper left wing during aerobatic flight.
- [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454.md): North American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NV · Accident · 11 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 16, 2011 · N79111 · Substantial damage
  > The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate…
- [NTSB ERA11FA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA431.md): Beech G35 · Byron, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2011 · N156RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s sustained flight at airspeeds in excess of the airplane's never exceed speed during a steep descent, which resulted in a subsequent in-flight structural failure due to overstress.
- [NTSB ERA11LA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA415.md): Polaris Polar Star · Dewees Island, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2011 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s operation of the unregistered airplane while impaired by alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the aircraft, which resulted in failure of…
- [NTSB CEN11IA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA280.md): Beech 90B · Chickasha, OK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2011 · N37OU · Minor damage
  > The mechanic's improper installation of the aileron.
- [NTSB DCA11MA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11MA039.md): Boeing 737 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Major investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2011 · N632SW · Substantial damage
  > the improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel at the S-4L lap joint during the manufacturing process, which resulted in multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel. Contributing to the injuries was flight…
- [NTSB WPR11LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA172.md): Beech G35 · Whidbey Island, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2011 · N4211D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to prioritize flying over navigation due to his diverted attention, which allowed the airplane to near a restricted area, which, in turn, led the pilot to enter a rapid avoidance maneuver and subsequently lose airplane control.…
- [NTSB WPR11FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA155.md): Muse KR2 · Newberry Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2011 · N122B · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB CEN11LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA209.md): Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Kingsville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N6196L · Substantial damage
  > A pre-existing crack in the front spar of the right horizontal stabilizer near a riveted fitting, causing it to fail and separate from the airplane in flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel comply with existing service…
- [NTSB ERA11LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA141.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2011 · N31NW · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight overload failure of the left elevator inboard balance weight rib for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR11LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA081.md): Apollo AS-III · Poipu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2010 · N157AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's lack of compliance with manufacturer's guidance for care and handling of the aircraft combined with incomplete preflight inspections, which resulted in an undetected material failure of the nose cone.
- [NTSB ERA11GA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11GA066.md): Cessna M337B · Avon Park, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Nov 18, 2010 · N1309 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.
- [NTSB CEN11LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA050.md): Mcfarland Bill Challenger II · Praire Du Sac, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2010 · N448WM · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the fuselage-mounted wing strut attachment fitting for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the separation of the left wing of the airplane.
- [NTSB DCA11FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11FA004.md): Boeing 757-223 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2010 · N626AA · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the fuselage crown skin due to incorrect manufacturing of the crown skin panel that resulted in a skin thickness less than the manufacturer-specified thickness.
- [NTSB CEN10LA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA560.md): Schweizer 269C · Schaumburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2010 · N34LB · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the left aft cluster fitting assembly following the loss of torque on the lock nut due to a manufacturing defect.
- [NTSB ANC10LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA081.md): Stinson 108-2 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2010 · N9569K · Substantial damage
  > The overstress fracture and failure of a main landing gear wheel during landing, resulting in the right wing striking the ground.
- [NTSB WPR10LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA353.md): Topdog Ultralights TOP DOG 582 · Eagle Point, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2010 · N82047 · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the left wingtip.
- [NTSB CEN10LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA414.md): Wogenstahl Wallace L Wogenstahl 281 MR · Mount Cory, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2010 · N5281R · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the rivets at the aft fuselage bulkhead which resulted in the pilot not having full elevator control on landing.
- [NTSB CEN10LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA339.md): Airborne Windsport Edge · Ft. Lupton, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2010 · N55857 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot intentionally performed prohibited aerobatic maneuvers that damaged the carriage wing attachment hang point and collapsed the wing.
- [NTSB WPR10LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA306.md): Luscombe 11A · Merced, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2010 · N1606B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control during cruise flight due to the failure of the elevator trim tab as a result of missing hardware for the elevator control cable bellcrank to elevator torque tube attachment bracket.
- [NTSB CEN10FA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA316.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Umpire, AR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6076H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ANC10LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA026.md): Cessna 170B · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2010 · N3492C · Substantial damage
  > The structural failure of the right main landing gear leg, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear.
- [NTSB CEN10LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA198.md): American Champion 7KCAB · Greeley, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2010 · N5065X · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of the wing fabric for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA10FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA140.md): Cessna T337G · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2010 · N12NA · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to adhere to the airplane’s operating limitations, which resulted in overload failure of the right wing. Findings of the investigation were the adverse effects of multiple supplemental type certificates (STC) to the airframe wing structure…
- [NTSB WPR10LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA104.md): Airborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2010 · N155TD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ENG10IA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG10IA016.md): Douglas DC8 · Cincinnati (CVG), OH · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2010 · N803DH · Minor damage
  > Failure of the NLG cylinder occurred by intergranular rupture; coincidental to a chrome plating crack. The failure origin occurred along the inner surface of the cylinder and then propagated by stress corrosion cracking to the outer surface. A secondary crack…
- [NTSB ERA10LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA107.md): Maule M5 · LaGrange, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2009 · N51620 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA060.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369E · Kahuku, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2009 · N551CR · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the landing gear strut and maintenance personnel’s failure to perform an adequate inspection of the landing gear.
- [NTSB ENG10WA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG10WA004.md): Boeing 737 · Melbourne Airport, Australia · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 19, 2009 · VH-VUI · Minor damage
  > On October 20, 2009, at 0900 local time, a Virgin Blue Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane, registration VH-VUI, experienced a failure of the right main landing gear outboard wheel assembly during landing at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Australia. No one was…
- [NTSB ENG09RA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG09RA019.md): Boeing 737 · Kuching, Malaysia · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 2, 2009 · 9M-MMR · Minor damage
  > On October 2, 2009, about 0818 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) a Malaysia Airlines, Boeing 737-400 airplane, registration 9M-MMR, suffered a collapsed left main landing gear during pushback from the gate at Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak,…
- [NTSB WPR09LA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA453.md): Quad City Challenger II · Redlands, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2009 · N732LS · Substantial damage
  > Structural failure of the right wing during the landing approach due to the separation of the wing's fabric covering.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/cases.md?page=4

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '337')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/cases?page=3

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